Page 60 of Small Town Beast

“If Gwen had more sense,” Kyle smiled, “She'd spread them skinny legs and get some privileges around here." He sucked on his cigarette, taking pleasure in her rage. “That goes for you, too.”

“You think I’m scared of you?”

“Given your circumstances, I reckon you should be. Unmarried mother with yourbackground…My aunt Laura took a chance on you. And then my sainted Aunt, a Christian woman, hears what you been up to on a Friday night at the Turnkey.”

“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,” bluffed Tanya, now ice cold to her bones.

“My Aunt doesn’t like whores. Not one little bit. She was fixin’ to fire you, but who do you reckon saved your ass? Stuck his neck out? JustbeggedAuntie Laura to let you stay on? I’ll admit it, Tanya, this place wouldn’t run without you. But yourattitude needs adjusting.” Kyle gripped his dick through his jeans. “If you fuck me, I’ll raise your pay a whole dollar. How about it?”

“Go to hell.”

“You sure?”

She could see the imprint of his thin, long dick; he was actually hard. Tanya felt sick. Was this her reputation now? Did every son of a bitch like Kyle think she was that easy?

He laughed at her expression. “Think about it,sister. I’m a McCall. You know what that means? It means I don’t even mind that you’re a nigger.”

“Kiss my ass, redneck.”

Kyle lunged at her, a hand closing around her throat.

Tanya’s fist cracked out on instinct, connecting with his jaw. Visions of Colton flashed before her. Strong hands wrapping around her throat. Spit flying over her face.I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!

“Don’t touch me!”Tanya shrieked, but it wasn’t Kyle she spoke to. It was a ghost she never hoped to see again. She struck back again and again, fighting for her life in a dark bed, except it wasn’t a bed, but a dirty alleyway in broad daylight. She had Kyle backing up to the kitchen door, trying now to get her off him. And honestly? She was whupping his ass.

“You–you—bitch!” he moaned. “You’re fired! You’refired!”

“No she’s not,” said Gwen, leaping into the alley with her phone up and recording it all live.

“I got the whole thing on video, Kyle!” Gwen cried. “You put hands on her first and you called her that word, which is racial discrimination! You could go to jail!”

“It’s..freedom of speech,” growled Kyle.

Gwen frowned. “Is it, Tanya?”

Tanya fell back, breathing hard, reality returning.I’m not there, I’m here. I’m here.

Kyle made a grab for Gwen’s phone but she nimbly danced backward.

“Back to work, both of you!” he snarled.

“And don’t touch me again!” Gwen added, still holding up the phone. “Pervert!”

Kyle grabbed Tanya by the back of her shirt and promised darkly, “One day you’ll have to fuck me to keep this job, Weaver. I’m waiting for the day!"

Tanya pulled away from him and fled back indoors with Gwen.

"Thanks,”Tanya breathed to Gwen when they were safely locked in the bathroom. “Oh my God, Iknowthat motherfucker didn’t put his hands on me…”

“Tanya, hold on.”

“What?”

“I got bad news, Tanya.” Gwen put her phone away, looking sick to her stomach.

“What?”

“I was coming out to tell you when I heard Kyle goin’ at you. Tanya, those men you were serving? They walked out on the check!"

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